A Natural Disaster Declaration (NDD) has been activated for those impacted by the weekend’s bushfire in the Lake Macquarie LGA.

The blaze threatened homes, and an aged care facility, in Redhead, Gateshead, Whitebridge and Dudley, causing damage to more than 90 hectares of land.

It also devastated some parts of the popular Fernleigh Track.

The move, backed by the federal and state governments, activates a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers and the local council.

People whose residences were damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help, as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.

The NDD was recently triggered for the Central Coast, MidCoast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo LGAs, too.

Measures that may be available, depending on eligibility, include: 

• Assistance for residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres
• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder
• Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe

“I want those in the Lake Macquarie region to know the Albanese government is here to support you,” Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.

“We are working closely with our NSW counterparts to ensure people get assistance as quickly as possible.

“To have this happen just weeks before Christmas is especially tough.

“But, as a community, we are all here to help.”

Meanwhile, Legal Aid NSW is also urging anyone impacted by the recent bushfires in the Central Coast, Mid-North Coast, Upper Hunter and Central West to seek free legal help early.

For more news stories:

• Lake Mac mayor thanks those who battled weekend blaze
• $835 million John Hunter Hospital precinct taking shape
• ‘Destruction’… Fernleigh Track damaged in Redhead bushfire

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.